Hibiscus tea is a herbal tea made by steeping parts of the hibiscus plant in boiled water. It has a sour taste and can be consumed both hot and cold. There are several hundred species of hibiscus that vary according to the location and climate in which they grow, but Hibiscus sabdariffa is most commonly used to make tea.
Drinking this tea has several benefits for human health, and find out what they are in the following text.
1. It is full of antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that help protect against compounds called free radicals that damage the cells of the human body. Hibiscus tea is rich in powerful antioxidants and can therefore help prevent damage and disease caused by the build-up of free radicals. One study in people with Marfan syndrome, a rare disorder that affects connective tissue, found that an infusion with hibiscus extract reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant levels. in the blood. Another animal study had similar results, showing that hibiscus extract helped protect against cell damage in rats.
However, note that these studies used concentrated doses of hibiscus extract, not hibiscus tea. More studies are needed to determine how the antioxidants in hibiscus tea might affect people.
2. May help lower blood pressure
One of the most impressive and well-known benefits of hibiscus tea is that it can lower blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can put extra strain on the heart and cause it to weaken. High blood pressure is also associated with an increased risk of developing other heart diseases. Several studies have found that hibiscus tea can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
In one study, 46 people with high blood pressure were given hibiscus tea or a placebo. After 1 month, those who drank hibiscus tea had a greater drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to those who received a placebo. Although hibiscus tea can be a safe and natural way to lower blood pressure, it is not recommended for those taking medications used to treat high blood pressure, as it can interact with these medications.
3. Reduces fat concentrations in the blood
In addition to lowering blood pressure, some studies have found that hibiscus tea can help reduce the concentration of lipids (fats) in the blood, another risk factor for heart disease. In a 2009 study, 60 people with diabetes were given either hibiscus tea or black tea. After 1 month, those who drank hibiscus tea had increased levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Another older study in patients with metabolic syndrome found that taking 100 milligrams (mg) of hibiscus extract daily was associated with reduced total cholesterol and increased HDL (good) cholesterol. In addition, a 2022 review of studies found that hibiscus tea can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels more effectively compared to other types of tea and a placebo. However, other studies have produced conflicting results regarding the effects of hibiscus tea on blood cholesterol levels. Additional studies on this topic are needed.
4. It has a positive effect on the health of the liver
Studies have shown that hibiscus can have a positive effect on the health of the liver and that it can promote better functioning of this vital organ. A 2014 study of 19 overweight people found that taking hibiscus extract for 12 weeks had a positive effect on liver steatosis. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to liver failure. A study on rats also showed that treatment with hibiscus extract reduces the concentration of certain parameters in the blood that indicate liver damage.
Another animal study from 2022 concluded that hibiscus extract had a positive effect on rats with fatty liver. However, all of these studies found the effects of hibiscus extract, not hibiscus tea. More research is needed to find out how hibiscus tea affects liver health in humans.
5. It helps in losing weight
Several studies suggest that hibiscus tea may be associated with weight loss and may help protect against obesity. One 2014 study had 36 overweight participants consume either hibiscus extract or a placebo. After 12 weeks, hibiscus extract reduced body mass, body fat percentage, body mass index, and hip-to-waist ratio. An animal study found similar results, reporting that hibiscus extract can help reduce body weight and appetite by preventing the accumulation of fat cells. Current research is limited to studies using concentrated doses of hibiscus extract. More studies are needed to determine how hibiscus tea might affect weight loss in humans.
6. It is important in the prevention of cancer
Hibiscus is high in polyphenols, compounds that have been shown to have powerful anti-cancer properties. In one experimental study, hibiscus extract significantly slowed the growth of malignant cells and reduced the invasiveness of oral cavity and plasma cell cancer. Another study concluded that hibiscus leaf extract prevents the spread of prostate cancer cells.
7. May help reduce bacterial growth
In addition to its antioxidant and anticancer properties, some studies have concluded that hibiscus can help protect against bacterial infections. In fact, one study found that hibiscus extract inhibited the activity of E. coli, a strain of bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections as well as other infections in the body.
Tips, recommendations, topics about health await you on Thursday, December 8, in the new issue of the Zdravlje supplement, which you get for free with the printed edition of Vijesti.
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